Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Mapt; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401(k)

Flexible PTO

Team meals twice a week

Monthly team events

Job summary

MAPT in California is seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to own the design and development of battery module components from concept through production, with responsibility for cell retention, thermal management, safety systems, and housing integration.

You will partner with electrical, thermal, simulation, and software teams to optimize the complete pack, work hands-on with design decisions, and drive releases with high autonomy in a high-performance engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering (or equivalent).
• 7–8+ years of mechanical design experience in automotive or motorcycle battery/powertrain development.
• Advanced CAD proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 (3DX), NX, or SolidWorks with GD&T and production drawings.
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion cells and related electromechanical and safety design constraints.
• Experience with 400V+ battery system architectures and HV safety requirements.
• Hands-on structural FEA experience and interpretation for design decisions.
• Experience with DFMEA/DVP&R cycles and design release processes.
• Battery module or pack design experience navigating cell-level constraints and thermal management.

Responsibilities

• Own the design for a new module architecture— cell retention systems, thermal management strategies, safety systems, housing integration, and electromechanical interfaces.
• Work with cylinder and pouch cell formats in 400-1000V systems, optimizing weight, thermal performance, cost, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, thermal, simulation, and software teams to optimize the complete battery pack package.
• Coordinate design work with pack team members to converge on feasibility for function, manufacturing, and reliability of modules in pack and vehicle.
• Develop a robust cell venting strategy and propagation protection while meeting manufacturing and cost targets.
• Identify and suggest missing requirements needed and drive completion of released requirements.

Skills

Mechanical design

Battery/module design

HV 400V systems

FEA (structural)

DFMEA / DVP&R

DFM for manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6 (3DX)

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

We're a venture-backed technology company building the next generation of energy and powertrain systems for the world’s most demanding machines. Our team comes from companies like Rivian, SpaceX, and McLaren, bringing deep expertise in high-performance engineering, electrification, and advanced manufacturing.

We develop frontier technology that pushes what’s possible in electrified performance. Based in California, we develop next-generation energy and powertrain technology for supercars and superbikes, working alongside leading high-performance brands across the U.S. and Europe.

Our innovations are built on a novel pack architecture, a full-stack software platform, and an advanced approach to automated production. Joining us means working on technology that makes the world’s most demanding vehicles and aircraft lighter, safer, more engaging, and capable of charging in minutes.

Our engineering teams operate like small Skunkworks teams: nimble, cross-functional, and highly technical. Engineers are encouraged to explore new concepts and materials, move quickly from concept to prototype, and have significant autonomy to develop, validate, and release their work across programs.

We’re building something ambitious in a highly competitive market, and the bar is high. We need people who are exceptional at what they do, take real ownership, and are willing to do what the moment requires.

About the Role

As a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll own the design and development of battery module components from concept through production.

You'll work across cell retention, thermal management, safety systems, housing integration, and electromechanical interfaces, partnering closely with electrical, thermal, simulation, and software teams to optimize the complete battery pack and vehicle package.

This is a hands-on, high-ownership role where you'll be expected to make sound design decisions, solve complex problems, and drive your work forward with a high degree of autonomy.

What You'll Do

• Own the design for a new module architecture— cell retention systems, thermal management strategies, safety systems, housing integration, and electromechanical interfaces
• Work with cylinder and pouch cell formats in 400-1000V systems, optimizing weight, thermal performance, cost, and manufacturing feasibility
• Collaborate cross-functionally with our electrical, thermal, simulation, and software teams to optimize the complete battery pack package
• Coordinate design work with pack team members to converge on feasibility for function, manufacturing, and reliability of modules in pack and vehicle
• Develop a robust cell venting strategy and propagation protection while meeting manufacturing and cost targets
• Identify and suggest missing requirements needed and drive completion of released requirements

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering (or equivalent with demonstrated depth)
• 7-8+ years of mechanical design experience in automotive or motorcycle battery/powertrain development
• Advanced CAD proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 (3DX), NX, or SolidWorks: complex assemblies, GD&T, production drawings
• Robust understanding of lithium-ion cell as it relates to electromechanical and safety design constraints
• Understanding of battery system architectures and HV safety requirements (400V+ systems)
• Hands-on structural FEA experience: defining load cases, boundary conditions, interpreting results for design decisions
• Experience with DFM for multiple processes: injection molding, stamping, casting, composites, machining, fabricating
• Experience with DFMEA/DVP&R cycles and design release processes
• Battery module or pack design experience—you've navigated cell-level constraints and thermal management complexity

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical hands-on experience in professional or personal projects – interest in working directly on the parts/products in the lab
• Thermal simulation experience (CFD or equivalent)—you understand heat transfer, material selection implications and can develop solutions to meet system-level requirements
• Design experience integrating into vehicle platforms—you understand powertrain architecture and integration challenges
• Experience working at or with automotive OEMs or Tier-1 Suppliers on electrified platforms.
• Proven track record releasing components to production: you've worked in a high-pace environment, participated in design reviews, and understand how designs move from concept to production level parts

How We Work

Understand the Problem

We take the time to understand what we're actually solving before jumping to the obvious answer.

Own What Needs to Happen

We take responsibility for outcomes, not just our individual tasks. If something needs to happen, we figure out how to make it happen.

Optimize for the Team

We make decisions with the broader team and company in mind, sharing information and helping each other move faster.

Refuse the Obvious Answer

We challenge assumptions, explore better approaches, and don't accept "that's how it's always been done."

Keep Your Word

We do what we say we'll do. We communicate early when something changes and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments.

Meaningful equity participation through our Employee Incentive Plan.

• Medical, dental, and vision (HMO/PPO)
• 401(k)
• Flexible PTO
• Team meals twice a week
• Monthly team events

Build something exceptional. Own your work. See it move.